28 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Twenty-five years ago the State Board of Agriculture had 

 its public winter meeting at Westfield. It was my first ex- 

 perience at these meetings, and I verily believe it was a source 

 of some good to me. I hope this meeting may be an influ- 

 ence for good to the farmers of this section of the State. 



We believe the present plan of annual State aid and the 

 representation by one delegate from each thrifty society to 

 be the correct one. 



It is with pleasure that I am permitted, in behalf of the 

 Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society, to offer to the 

 Hon. William R. Sessions, late secretary of the Board, our 

 great esteem and respect. We feel he has been a friend in 

 deed. We trust that the present incumbent will be to the 

 farmers of Massachusetts an avenue for benefits financially. 



Farmers of this and adjoining towns, this meeting is 

 yours. It is for you to avail yourselves of this oppor- 

 tunity of participating in discussions and submitting ques- 

 tions. I trust the deliberations of this meeting will be 

 fruitful in results. 



And now again I desire, in behalf of the Union Society, 

 to extend to you, members of the State Board, a cordial 

 welcome. 



The Chair. We will listen to a response l)y General 

 Appleton, a member of the Board by appointment of the 

 Governor. 



General Appleton. I take pleasure in saying only a few 

 words in response to the welcome hy the president of the 

 Union Agricultural and Horticultural Society. It was my 

 pleasure to exchange with the delegate from this society, Mr. 

 Blair, who came to the Essex Society when I had the honor 

 of being its president, and I, as delegate, had the honor and 

 pleasure of going to their society as inspector some years 

 ago. I think the spirit shown by Mr. Blair is indicative of 

 the feeling of the Board and of the societies. I know we 

 both in our reports endeavored to say those words and give 

 that advice that would be helpful and critical but not severely 

 critical. 



It gives me pleasure to speak to you as an appointee of the 

 Governor, and to come to this town of AVestfield and see it, 

 as I have never had the opportunity before, except as I rushed 



